The Psychopath | 18+

33. Forgive but never forget

Romana's POV
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Five months ago I did something that would forever be my biggest regret. I pitied myself every single day because of it, I cried, worked, ate junk just to survive and slept.

The publishing company commended me for my astonishing work but the seriousness of the case brought too much negative and unwanted attention to Scottsdale and as a result they didn't hire me.

Bummer number one, my reputation was basically tarnished, luckily Mr. Star was kind enough to be sorry for me and offered me a place in his pub again.

Veronica, Adrianna and Zues practically ghosted me, they were around fighting trial and the only time I saw them was on TV, apparently Stacy bail wasn't Stacy but desrene Taylor the mother of Veronica and Zues... I was so shocked and confused at first but left that issue alone...they just wanted revenge on Eros for what, I was yet to find out. I was an easy target to do their dirty work, right place at the right time, bummer number two.

Eros... I sighed, Eros regained consciousness and was moved to a private care facility, somewhere private and off the radar, away from crazy paparazzi's and journalist like me.... I tried calling him and Isabella's phone number but they were out of service.

Or course

It hurt, it was an unbearable pain to live with. I had ruined their lives and mine, it was irreversible and so so wrong, I came in to do one job, one job! But no, Romana had to meddle with things she had no business in and worst of all she had fallen in love.

I loved Eros but I loved him a little too late, I was growing to accept my abrupt changes in life.. day by day, I tried to be better.

My parents death is the same way as before, yes it was a hit and run but the man died years ago from regret, it gave him heart failure. Making the whole dirty cop thing a lie, I was bribed to take up Veronica's story.

Shaking the everyday thoughts out of my head I grabbed my keys and left the apartment, I was trying to go on the healthy route, jog everyday and drink lots of water, a great start to a long future.

I ran down the stairs, greeting the landlord along the way.

"Good morning Mr. Brown" I smiled forcibly, he smiled back looking up briefly from his paper to nod.

I jogged pass him and went through the entrance of the apartment, I quickly ran to the mail and checked for any packages or bills etc, seeing that it was empty I turned to begin my morning run when I stumbled upon someone I never knew I'd see again.

My breath hitched and I stared in shock.

"Isabella?" I whispered, she didn't greet me nor did she have a pleasant look on her face. I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat as I slowly approached her.

"What are you doing here?" I instinctively looked down from shame as I asked that question, fiddling with my fingers.

"You know.." she began and I snapped my head up "for many nights, many sleepless nights I stayed up wondering, why... Why did she do it and when I could not come up with an answer I decided to ask you myself" she paused staring into my eyes with little to no emotion.

I swallowed "I- Veronica.." I trailed, I didn't know what to say or how to explain what happened.

"Walk with me.." she commanded immediately strutting away, I jogged up to her and matched her pace as we walked down the pavement.

"Do you know the whole story?" She asked, I glanced up at her and shook my head "no".

She inhaled sharply "Desrene Taylor, the woman who molested Eros.." I gasped and looked down, I led Eros into the arms of his molester it only made the pain that much more unbearable.

"she was his father's lover but when he found out she was molesting his son he snapped, he raped Zues out of spite and revenge, took Taylor from her job and family and sent her to prison... When she got out, she's been plotting her revenge ever since.. " my heart broke and tears began streaming down my face..

"But it's wasn't his fault" she chuckled dryly.

"Someone had to take the fall.. you know, Veronica did the same thing like you did, sleep with him, build a connection and then fuck him over.." that hurt, I turned to her and stopped in my tracks.

"I love him.." I defended only to be met with a scoff.

"Veronica did too but you know what she did.. she allowed Eros to do those crazy sexual things to her, then took pictures of them and made it seem like he was an abusive mad man, who lured beautiful women specifically journalists in and use them..." The harsh truth hurt but I still tried to defend myself.

"I didn't know... I didn't know any of this" I said, she looked into my eyes with her cold ones.

"You didn't have to" more tears now streamed down my face, anger, frustration, regret were only but a few of the emotions I was feeling in this moment.

For the first time in months I was hearing the truth of much I messed things up.

"I'm sorry okay!," I cried out  "I messed up I know, I just, Eros made me feel things I'd never felt before but I was weak to my emotions, I tried to hide the real ones and gave into a foolish narrative..but it just... They had proof and I just stupidly believed"

"I Miss him Isabella, everyday I get up he's all I think about... I wonder if he's okay and if I'd ever see him again, it hurt, it hurts so much.." she looked off into the distance and shook her head, her dainty fingers gripped the handles of her purse tightly.

"Good.. now you know what he feels"

"I forgive you Romana but I'd never forget... If it was up to me I'd never tell you where Eros is" I wiped the tears away and nodded in understanding.

"he'll be home briefly on Friday... " My heart rate sped up, was she doing what I think.

"the keys will be under a painted rock by the gate..." A smile broke out, I couldn't help it.

"Thank you Isabella! Thank you so much" I didn't reach to hug or hold her as I think it would be too much, instead I offered my appreciative smile.

"He has been getting help, so please don't push him too much" I nodded thanking her again.

"I promise" I began walking away, triumph filled my heart from the thought of seeing him again, then she called out stopping me in my tracks.

"Romana?" I turned to face her, this time her eyes were softer and the hard look she wore no longer existed, in it's place I saw the Isabella I knew and loved. A warm aura surrounded her and the urge to hug her motherly frame was stronger than ever.

"Forgive yourself" she said, I stared at her for what felt like forever, those words were heavy but I needed to hear them, I nodded at her then turned and left.